Why does my Nissan Rogue Sport shudder and lose power?

Short answer: It may be the CVT (continuously variable transmission), but don't assume the worst. Nissan's bulletin NTB18-077b covers 2017–2018 Rogue Sports that hesitate or lack power with codes P0776 or P1715. It sends dealers through a repair chart that can end in a new valve body or CVT, plus a computer update. But one owner was told he needed an $8,000 transmission, and an independent shop then found nothing wrong. Another owner's identical symptoms turned out to be worn spark plugs. Get the codes and a careful diagnosis first.

Symptom: The car shudders, hesitates or loses power (especially uphill or after a long traffic jam), won't go above about 30 mph, runs rough, or shows a check engine light.

What to check first

1. Get the codes read. P0776 or P1715 points to Nissan's CVT bulletin. Misfire codes point to plugs or coils instead.
2. Ask the dealer about bulletin NTB18-077b if those codes are stored on a 2017–2018.
3. Check the spark plugs and coils if it runs rough. One owner fixed the same symptoms with plugs at about 120,000 miles.
4. Ask what CVT fluid was used at the last service. Members insist on Nissan's NS-3 type fluid.
5. Ask about the temperature. One owner's problem only showed up in stop-and-go traffic on hot days.

Likely causes

1. CVT valve body or CVT fault (Nissan bulletin NTB18-077b). For P0776 or P1715 with hesitation or lack of power, Nissan's chart leads to a valve body or CVT replacement and a TCM (transmission computer) reprogram.
2. Worn spark plugs or coils. One owner's matching symptoms were cured with new plugs.
3. Old or wrong CVT fluid. Members recommend NS-3 fluid and earlier changes than the schedule.
4. CVT sensor fault (code P0841). A 2017 owner at 89,000 miles with P0841 was told he needed a new CVT.

What it usually costs

One owner was quoted almost $8,000 for a new transmission and paid $200 for the dealer's estimate. After an independent shop couldn't find a fault, he was out about $1,000 in tows, rentals and diagnostic fees. Another owner said a dealer quoted $1,200 for a cooling fan that didn't fix it. New spark plugs fixed one car.

Is it safe to keep driving?

If it shudders, loses power or won't keep up with traffic, don't drive it on the highway. Have it towed or checked right away. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

DIY: code read and spark plugs if you're handy. Dealer or transmission shop: CVT diagnosis, fluid service with the correct fluid, and bulletin repairs.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• No recall covers the CVT on the 2017–2019 Rogue Sport in NHTSA's recall data.
• Nissan bulletin NTB18-077b (2017–2018 Rogue Sport): for hesitation or lack of power with P0776 or P1715 stored, dealers follow a repair chart that leads to a valve body or CVT replacement and a TCM reprogram. It doesn't apply when certain other CVT codes are stored. Coverage depends on your car's CVT warranty.
• NHTSA complaints: 55 keyword-matched complaints for Nissan Rogue Sport 2017–2019 (of 269 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-20; keywords: cvt, transmission, shudder, judder, jerk, hesitat, loss of power, lost power, slip, limp).

What owners report

• In Minor Shuddering and Loss of Power on the Rogue Sport Forum, a 2017 owner at 54,000 miles had the car shudder and refuse to go over 30 mph after a three-hour traffic jam. The Nissan dealer said it needed a new transmission for almost $8,000. An independent transmission shop drove it extensively and found nothing. Members recommended NS-3 fluid with multiple drain-and-fills. An '18 owner said the same symptoms turned out to be spark plugs at about 120,000 miles. A 2017 owner at 89,000 miles with code P0841 was told he needed a new CVT.
• In Reliability of CVT in US Rogue Sport and Canadian Qashqai? on the Rogue Sport Forum, owners said they hadn't had early CVT problems and recommended changing the CVT fluid early, about every 30,000 miles.

My take

My advice as a former lube tech: on any Nissan CVT, I want proof of fluid changes with the right fluid. And before anyone quotes a transmission, I want to see the codes and the spark plugs.

Vehicle focus: 2017–2019 Nissan Rogue Sport with the CVT (sold as the Qashqai in Canada).

Safety / mechanic note

A CVT that loses power can leave you unable to keep up with traffic. Verify with a mechanic.